5:33pm–#Shelton CT– First responders are at the waterfall area of Indian Wells State Park for a person is having cardiac issues after a diving accident according to radio reports. Life Star Helicopter has been requested to the scene.
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#Westport CT– The Westport Police Department would like to announce the upcoming promotion of Staff Corporal Ashley DelVecchio to the rank of detective and the recent lateral hire of two officers, John Margnelli and Brian Meraviglia. Detective Ashley DelVecchio was hired as a patrolman in 2010. In 2016, she was promoted to the rank of Staff Corporal where she was the Accreditation Manager leading the department to receive its Tier 1 accreditation from the State of Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council.
Detective DelVecchio serves on the Westport Police Marine Division and has previously earned a lifesaving award. She’s also the voice behind the Westport Police Department’s Social Media accounts – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Detective DelVecchio holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven. She was previously a field hockey coach at Staples High School and a Westport Police Athletic League basketball coach. Detective DelVecchio currently resides in Fairfield with her husband, Rich and daughter, Evelyn.
The Westport Police Department also recently welcomed two new officers to its ranks. The department swore in Officer Brian Meraviglia formerly of the Connecticut State Police and Officer John Margnelli, formerly a detective Clearwater, Florida.
Officer John Margnelli recently relocated to Connecticut from Florida where he worked at the Clearwater Police Department. While at the Clearwater Police Department, Officer Margnelli held many positions throughout his career to include homicide detective, field training officer, SWAT operator, and patrol officer as well as spending time on the Anti-Crime/Community Policing Team. During his ten years of service with Clearwater PD, Officer Margnelli was the recipient of two Chief Unit Citations and the Medal of Distinguished Service. He is also credited with solving a 15 year old homicide case. Officer Margnelli holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Florida State University. Officer Margnelli honorably served 5 years in the United States Army obtaining the rank of sergeant. He currently resides in Norwalk with his wife, Lynne and son, Maverick.
Officer Brian Meraviglia has been involved in Connecticut law enforcement for 31 years. He is a twenty eight year veteran with the Connecticut State Police having retired in a rank of colonel. He also had three years prior service with the Trumbull Police Department. Meraviglia’s career has spanned many areas of the Division of State Police. In the field, he has worked as a patrol trooper, resident state trooper, patrol sergeant, a Major Crime detective, and sergeant. In 2002, Meraviglia was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and has served as the Commanding Officer of the Western District Major Crime Squad, Troop G in Bridgeport and Professional Standards. In 2008, he was promoted to the rank of captain where he served as the Executive Officer and Acting commanding officer of Central District. Meraviglia was promoted to Major in 2009 and he has served as the commanding officer of both the Western and Central District Headquarters and the Bureau of Criminal Investigations. Prior to being promoted to Colonel, he has served as the acting lieutenant colonel of Field Operations. As a colonel, Meraviglia also was assigned as Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. He oversaw the Office of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications, the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control/Connecticut Fire Academy, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, the Division of Scientific Services, and the Division of State Police. He retired as the highest-ranking member of the Connecticut State Police with immediate responsibility of 1100 sworn troopers and 531 civilian personnel. During his impressive career, Meraviglia has earned a number of departmental awards to include Meritorious Service Awards, an Outstanding Award for Police Service and multiple Unit Citations. Officer Meraviglia holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut; is a graduate of the University of Connecticut’s Executive Education Program; and a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the FBI National Executive Institute. Officers Margnelli and Meraviglia fill vacancies following the retirements of Officer Mark Pocius and Detective John Rocke. They will have to complete a modified field training program in order to familiarize themselves with the Town of Westport and the policies and practices of the department before they are assigned to the patrol division.
Detective Ashley DelVecchio will be promoted on August 1st, at a ceremony held in the police department classroom at 10:00am.
(Westport Police Press Release)
#Westport, Conn. – Director of Human Services Elaine Daignault announced today that the Town of Westport’s annual Back to School Program is currently seeking donations of new backpacks, gift cards (Staples Office Supply, Walmart, and/or Target) and/or cash donations to benefit income-eligible Westport families.
Ms. Daignault stated, “There is a growing number of Westport families facing the burden of financial hardships in town and back to school time can be particularly stressful on a family budget. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the Department of Human Services is able to provide discreet assistance to income-eligible families who want to give their children the best possible start to their academic school year. Cash and gift card donations ensure that parents can share in the excitement of back to school shopping with their children and donors can be confident that 100% of their donations directly benefit their Westport neighbors.”
The number of back to school program beneficiaries has grown each year. Last fall community donations allowed DHS to supply the equivalent of 10 classrooms of children with school supplies. That’s over 100 kids who were able to purchase supplies that they otherwise would not have been able to afford. Local donations from community members, coupled with a limited number of Walmart gift cards supplied by the Salvation Army, provide an essential resource to families in need. The Back to School Program depends solely upon the generosity of community individuals and organizations.
Tax-deductible monetary donations made payable to “Families in Need Fund” (memo: Backpacks) may be mailed to the Department of Human Services,110 Myrtle Avenue (Room 200), Westport, CT 06880. Donors may also choose to bring a new backpack and/or gift cards directly to the Human Services Department office in Town Hall, 100 Myrtle Avenue, Room 200, Monday through Friday between 9 am to 4 pm now through August 20.
Westport families who may qualify for this program are encouraged to contact the Department of Human Services at 203-341-1050. If you have any questions regarding this program, please call Margaret Pinheiro at 341-1050 or email emilton@westportct.gov.
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